Ticket Details
Step 1 of 3
Class & Fare
Step 2 of 3
EC = Executive Class · FC = First Class (non-AC) · 3E = AC 3 Economy
Cancellation Timing
Step 3 of 3
Already charted? Since April 2026 reservation charts are prepared 9–18 hours before departure, not 4. Charting is still not a refund slab of its own — only the time left before departure decides what you get back — and because charting now happens before the 8-hour cut-off, a charted confirmed ticket is often still refundable at the 8–24 hour rate. IRCTC e-tickets no longer need a Ticket Deposit Receipt: cancel online and the refund is processed automatically. Fully waitlisted e-tickets are dropped and refunded automatically at charting.
These figures follow the Indian Railways cancellation and refund rules in force from 1 April 2026, last reviewed against source on . The result is an estimate: your actual credit will be slightly lower because the IRCTC convenience fee and payment-gateway charges are never refunded.
How Indian Railways Refund Rules Work
Understanding the three core principles that determine your refund
Time Matters Most
Your refund percentage depends more on when you cancel than which class you booked. Cancelling >72 hours before departure gives the best refund — only a flat fee is lost.
Chart Prep Is Critical
Once the train chart is prepared (4–6 hrs before departure), confirmed ticket refunds disappear completely. Always cancel before chart preparation if you can.
Tatkal = High Risk
Confirmed Tatkal and Premium Tatkal tickets offer zero refund on cancellation. Only book Tatkal if your travel plans are 100% certain.
Key rule: Indian Railways uses a tiered penalty system — the closer to departure you cancel, the more you lose. Waitlisted tickets are the safest: you always recover your fare minus a small administration fee. Confirmed general tickets give back most of the fare if cancelled early. Tatkal tickets are non-refundable once confirmed — there are no exceptions.
Indian Railway Cancellation Charges
Complete reference tables across all ticket types and classes
Refund by Cancellation Timing (General Tickets)
| Cancellation Time | Confirmed | RAC | Waitlisted |
|---|---|---|---|
| > 72 hours before | Flat fee per pax (₹60–₹240 by class) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) |
| 24–72 hours before | 25% of fare (min = flat fee) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) |
| 8–24 hours before | 50% of fare (min = flat fee) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) |
| 30 min – 8 hours before | ❌ No refund | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) |
| Under 30 min before / after departure | ❌ No refund | ❌ No refund | ❌ No refund |
Flat Cancellation Fee & Clerkage by Travel Class
| Travel Class | Flat Fee / Pax | Clerkage / Pax | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1AC (First AC) | ₹240 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | AC |
| EC (Executive Class) | ₹240 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | AC |
| 2AC (Second AC) | ₹200 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | AC |
| FC (First Class) | ₹200 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | Non-AC, but GST applies |
| 3AC (Third AC) | ₹180 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | AC |
| 3E (AC 3 Economy) | ₹180 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | AC |
| CC (AC Chair Car) | ₹180 + 5% GST | ₹60 + 5% GST | AC |
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹120 | ₹60 | Non-AC |
| 2nd Sitting (2S) | ₹60 | ₹60 | Non-AC |
Clerkage is ₹60 per passenger on every reserved class — Sleeper and 2S included. The lower ₹30 rate in the 2015 rules applies only to second-class unreserved tickets, which cannot be RAC or waitlisted. GST of 5% is charged on the cancellation or clerkage amount itself (not on your fare), and only for first class and AC coaches — Sleeper and 2S are exempt.
Tatkal & Premium Tatkal Refund Rules
| Ticket Status | Tatkal Refund | Premium Tatkal Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | ❌ No refund | ❌ No refund |
| RAC | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) |
| Waitlisted | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) | Fare − clerkage (₹60/pax) |
Special Refund Scenarios Explained
Complex cases where the rules work differently — explained clearly
RAC Refunds: Clerkage Only
An RAC ticket never attracts the confirmed-ticket 25%/50% slabs. Whenever you cancel — right up to 30 minutes before departure — you lose only clerkage of ₹60 per passenger, plus 5% GST on AC classes. Charting no longer closes the online route — since April 2026 e-tickets need no TDR and refunds are automatic on cancellation. Past the 30-minute mark, no refund is admissible.
WL Auto-Refund After Chart
If every passenger on the PNR is still waitlisted at chart preparation, IRCTC drops the booking automatically. The refund — fare minus ₹60 clerkage per passenger, plus 5% GST on AC classes — is credited to the original payment source within 3–7 business days. No manual action is needed for e-tickets.
Tatkal Exceptions (RAC & WL)
Confirmed Tatkal tickets get zero refund. But if your Tatkal ticket is RAC or Waitlisted, you are still eligible: both get the fare back minus ₹60 clerkage per passenger (plus 5% GST on AC classes), provided you cancel at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure. The no-refund Tatkal rule covers confirmed berths only.
Partial Cancellations
You can cancel one or more passengers from a group ticket without affecting others. The refund is calculated on the pro-rata fare share for cancelled passengers only. The PNR remains valid for remaining passengers with the same berth assignments.
Train Cancelled by Railways
If Indian Railways cancels a train, all passengers receive a full refund with no cancellation charges. This applies to confirmed, RAC, and waitlisted tickets alike. IRCTC e-tickets are auto-processed; no TDR filing needed.
TDR for Special Cases
Ordinary e-ticket cancellations no longer need a TDR — refunds are automatic since April 2026. Exceptional claims such as a train running more than 3 hours late, AC failure or a coach not attached still follow the claims route within the stipulated time, and decisions can take 30–90 days.
Smart Cancellation Tips
Practical strategies to minimise your financial loss when cancelling
Cancel Before the 72-Hour Mark Whenever Possible
Since 1 April 2026 the penalty-free window is 72 hours, not 48. Cancelling a confirmed general ticket more than 72 hours before departure loses only the flat fee (₹60–₹240 per passenger). Waiting until the 24–72 hour window bumps the penalty to 25% of your fare, and the no-refund cliff now arrives a full 8 hours before departure.
Cancel Online for Fastest Refund
IRCTC e-ticket cancellations are processed electronically and refunded within 3–7 business days to your original payment method (UPI, credit card, net banking) — automatically, with no TDR to file. Counter ticket cancellations are handled at a PRS counter and can take up to 90 days to process.
Avoid Tatkal Unless Travel Is Absolutely Certain
Tatkal tickets cost 30–50% more than base fare AND offer zero refund once confirmed. If there is even a 20% chance your plans might change, booking General and risking waitlist is often better financially. The math almost never favours Tatkal when cancellation is a possibility.
No Penalty for Waiting on a Waitlist
A waitlisted ticket costs you the same ₹60 clerkage whether you cancel it a week out or 40 minutes before departure, so there is no penalty for waiting to see if it confirms. The one hard deadline is 30 minutes before departure — miss it and you get nothing. Leaving it to the automatic drop at charting works too, though the bank transfer can take a few days longer.
Use This Calculator Before Deciding to Cancel
Sometimes the timing is worth planning — e.g., cancelling just before the 72-hour threshold loses only the flat fee, while slipping past it costs 25% of the fare. Calculate both scenarios before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Indian Railways ticket refunds
Disclaimer: All calculations are based on standard Indian Railways cancellation rules currently in effect. This tool is for informational purposes only. trainticketdatecalculator.in is not responsible for any changes in refund policies, miscalculations, errors, or discrepancies in actual IRCTC refunds.
Quick Refund Reference
Flat fee only — ₹60 to ₹240 per pax (+GST on AC)
25% of fare deducted (min = flat fee)
50% of fare deducted (min = flat fee)
Confirmed tickets: No refund
Fare minus ₹60 clerkage per pax
When Does Booking Open?
Find the exact advance booking date for your journey with our free train ticket date calculator.
Date CalculatorFind Your Berth Type
Enter coach code and seat number to instantly see whether it's Lower, Side Upper or Middle.
Train Seat FinderWaitlisted After Cancelling?
See which berths fall empty after the chart is prepared — ideal for RAC and waitlisted travellers.
Vacant Seat FinderWhen Is Your Chart Prepared?
Charting now happens 9–18 hours before departure — before the 8-hour cancellation deadline, so a charted ticket is often still refundable.
Chart Preparation TimeBooking Tatkal Instead?
A confirmed Tatkal ticket carries no refund at all — so getting the booking right first time matters. Find the exact minute the window opens.
Tatkal Time CalculatorCheck the Train Schedule
See any train's running days and full station-by-station timings before you plan your trip.
Train Schedule Checker